A Brief History of Dysart Sailing Club
Dysart Sailing Club was founded in 1967 following a meeting of interested parties in the 'Mechanics Club' on Dysart High Street. There had been an earlier club, Dysart Boating Club, formed in 1933 which organised races for the Dysart Yawls and Skiffs. The holding of an annual sailing regatta at Dysart goes back to the 1870's and was the first such event on this side of the Forth
The present club was formed at a time of great uncertainty for the future of the harbour. It had ceased as a commercial port in 1929, was badly silted with waste from the nearby Frances pit, prompting suggestions to fill in the dock as it was dangerous. This encouraged the formation of the boating club, who persuaded Kirkcaldy Council to make improvements.
In the sailing club's first year disaster struck when a large section of the cliff surrounding the inner dock collapsed. The following year, 1968 saw the first clearance of silt from the outer harbour with machines loaned by the National Coal Board. That year the club was granted a lease on the harbour making its future more secure. A second calamity struck in 1969 when a large section of the east pier was washed away in an easterly winter gale, it was 5 years before the pier was rebuilt.
The 70's were a boom time for dinghy sailing, summers were definitely better then, racing took place on evenings and almost every weekend. Up to 20 boats would turn out for a race and the club's first regatta attracted over 60 entrants. In 1972 Dysart was host to the Scottish & North of England Osprey Championships with craft from all over Britain taking part.
Since then the harbour and its buildings have gradually been improved, the club is fortunate to have a dedicated committee and members who are willing to give their time and skills towards the improvement of the club.
The 70's were a boom time for dinghy sailing, summers were definitely better then, racing took place on evenings and almost every weekend. Up to 20 boats would turn out for a race and the club's first regatta attracted over 60 entrants. In 1972 Dysart was host to the Scottish & North of England Osprey Championships with craft from all over Britain taking part.
Since then the harbour and its buildings have gradually been improved, the club is fortunate to have a dedicated committee and members who are willing to give their time and skills towards the improvement of the club.